Toy motor kit



Apg. `5, 1958 l y J. w. REED 2,846,595

' TOY MOTOR KIT Filed Feb. 21, 1956 2 Sheets-Shea?I 1 y.1. w. REED2,846,595

TOY YMOTOR KIT 2 sheets-sheet 2 Aug. 5, 1958 Filed Feb. 21, 1956 UnitedStates Patent tlice Patented Aug.. 5, 1958 TOY MOTOR KIT John W. Reed,St. Petersburg, Fla.

Application February 21, 1956, Serial No. 566,953

3 Claims. (Cl. 3111-1) This invention relates to a toy or educational oramusement device, and more particularly to a toy electrical motor whichis adapted to be assembled by children or other persons.

The object of the invention is to provide a toy electric motor which canbe readily assembled by children or other persons to thereby provideamusement and recreation as well as education and instruction to thechildren or other users.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toy electric motor whichis adapted to be furnished in knockdown condition so that it can bereadily assembled by children or the like, the present inventionincluding a number of parts which are adapted to be detachably mountedin place and whereby numerals are provided between or adjacent to thecoils of the motor so as to indicate exactly where certain of theelectric wires are to be connected.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toy electric motor inthe form of a do-it-yourself kit which is extremely simple andinexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of thefollowing description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and inwhich like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout thesame.

Figure l is an end elevational view of the toy electric motor,constructed according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the motor.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the motor.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the motor.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating the discs withthe numerals and contacts thereon.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional View illustrating the wiper elementsand contacts.

Figure 9 is a view illustrating one of the coils.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the wiperelements.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates ahorizontally disposed rectangular base or platform which can be made ofany suitable material such as metal, and the base 10 is provided with aplurality of downwardly extending vertically disposed anges 11, Figure4. Arranged in the base 10 intermediate the ends thereof is atransversely disposed cutout or slot 12, and extending beneath the slotor cutout 12 is an insulated strip 13, Figure 2. Suitable securingelements such as rivets 14 serve to secure the strip 13 to the base 10.

Detachably connected to the strip 13 is a bracket 15 which includes ahorizontally disposed lower flange 16 which is secured to the strip 13in any suitable manner, as for example by means of bolt and nutassemblies 18. The bracket further includes a vertically disposed member17 for a purpose to be later described.

There is further provided a pair of L-shaped lugs 19 which are securedto the upper surface of the base 10, and a vertically disposed insulatedarm 20 extends upwardly from one of the lugs 19 and is secured thereto.A metal contact finger 21 is pivotally connected to each of theinsulated arms 20, and each of the fingers 21 is provided with a fingerengaging portion 22 whereby the members 21 can be moved into and out ofelectrical engagement with the ends of a pair of batteries 23. Forretaining the batteries 23 in place, a support member 24 is provided,and the support member 24 includes a pair of arcuate sections 25 whichare interconnected together by a web 26, the arcuate sections 25engaging the pair of batteries 23. The ends of the support member 24terminate in a pair of flat ears or flanges 27 which are secured to thebase 1i) in any suitable manner, as for example by means of the securingelements 28, Figure 3.

Extending upwardly from the base 10 and formed integral therewith orsecured thereto is a vertically disposed plate 29 which has an insulatedbar or strip 30 secured thereto, and a metal spring clip 31 is securedto the bar 30. The spring clip 31 electrically connects adjacent ends ofthe batteries 23 together.

There is further provided a second bracket which is indicated generallyby the numeral 32, and the bracket 32 includes a lower horizontallydisposed ange 33 and a vertically disposed member 34. A shaft 35 isrotatably supported by bearings mounted in the members 17 and 34 of thebrackets 15 and 32, Figure 2, and the shaft 35 is provided with anintermediate enlarged portion 36 which is interposed between the pair ofbearings in the members 17 and 34.l The bracket 32 may be secured to thebase 10 by means of bolt and nut assemblies 37.

Extending transversely across the top of the base 10 is a metal strip38, and a metal ring member may be secured to the strip 38 through themedium of a bolt and nut assembly 43. The strip 38 may be secured inplace to the base by means of bolt and nut assemblies 39. EX- tendinginwardly from the ring member 40 is a plurality of coils 41, and thecoils 41 may be secured to the ring member 40 through the medium of boltand nut assemblies 42. Suitable numerals such as the numerals indicatedby the reference character 44, Figure 2, are arranged on the ring member40 contiguous to the coils 41.

Secured to the outer surface of the bearing 34 of the bracket 32 is acircular disc 45 of insulated material, and connected to the disc 45 isa plurality of contacts 46, the contact-s 46 being equal inA number tothe coils 41. Terminals 47 are electrically connected to the contacts46, and the terminals 47 project through the disc 45 and through themember 34. Wires 48 serve to electrically connect the terminals 47 tothe coils 41. Numerals such as the numeral 53, Figure 7, are arrangedcontiguous to the contacts 46 so as to insure that the proper contacts46 will be electrically connected to the proper coils 41.

Extending outwardly from the shaft 35 and secured thereto is atransversely disposed armature 49 of magnetic material which is adaptedto rotate within the orbit of the ring member 40. Mounted on the shaft3S is a disc or plate 50 which is made of metal, and the plate 50 isprovided with a pair of diametrically opposed wiper elements 51 whichslidably engage the terminals 47.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a toyelectric motor which is adapted to be assembled by children or otherpersons so as to provide a source of recreation and amusement. The partsare adapted to be sold as a knock-down do-it-yourself kit and suitableinstructions may be furnished so as to insure the ready assembly of themotor. It is to be noted that the various parts are secured in place bybolt and nut assemblies which can be readily removed or replaced whendesired and the assembly can be completed without requiring any specialtools except, perhaps, a screwdriver or a pair of pliers or wrench. Whenthe parts are properly assembled, the fingers 21 can be moved to theposition shown in Figure 3 whereby electrical Current from the batteries23 will be supplied from the batteries 23 through a wire 52 and thiscurrent will flow through the bracket 15. The current continues to flowfrom the bracket to the shaft 35 and armature 49. The coils 41 areselectively energized so as to set up a field of magnetic attraction tothereby cause rotation of the armature 49 and since the armature 49 issecured to the shaft 35, then the shaft will rotate. It is to be notedthat the plate 5t? includes a pair of diametrically opposed wiperelements 51 which engage the terminals 47 as the shaft rotates tctherebyselectively make and break the circuit to the various coils 41 as theshaft rotates so that as long as the circuit is completed from thebatteries 23, the shaft 35 and armature 49 will continue to rotate. Withthe armature 49 and shaft 35 rotating, the child or other person willderive much pleasure and amusement from the toy electric motor.

t is to be noted that the disc 45 includes the plurality of contacts 45which are equal in number to the coils 41, and the contacts 46 have thenumerals 53 arranged contiguous thereto. The numerals 53 correspond tothe numerals 44 on the outer surface of the ring member 4C and when themotor is being assembled or put together', the wires 48 lead from coils41 to contacts 46 and the wires 4S connect coils 41 to contacts 46 ofthe same numeral. As the shaft 35 rotates, the diametrically opposedwiper elements 51 move into and out of engagement with the terminals 47which lead fromk the contacts 46 so as to selectively open and close thecircuits to the coils 41. When the device is not being used, the fingers21 can be moved up manually by gripping the portions 22 to thereby openthe circuit to the motor so that the batteries 23 will not be run downor used needlessly. In most of the figures of the drawings, the wiresleading between the various parts have been omitted in order to clarifythe construction of the parts but in Figure 5 the various wires areillustrated. As shown in Figure 9, a yoke or clip 54 may be connected toone or the wires 43 which lead to each coil 41, and the clips 54 areadapted to be arranged in engagement with the bolts 42 in order toproperly assemble the device.

The motor of the present invention operates on a magnetic principal andwhen the circuit from the battery is completed, the coils 41 areenergized in turn as the wiper element Si rotates around the terminals47. The present: invention is adapted to be sold as an assemble ityourself item that may be put together readily by children over the ageof six.

I claim:

l. A toy electric motor comprising a horizontally disposed rectangularbase provided with a transversely disposed intermediate rectangularcutout, a plurality of vertically disposed flanges depending from theouter edges of said base, an insulated strip extending beneath saidcutout and secured to said base, a first bracket including a verticallydisposed member provided with an aperture and said bracket furtherincluding a horizontally disposed flange detachably connected to saidstrip, a pair of batteries supported on said base, a support memberincluding a pair of arcuate superposed sections engaging said batteriesand said support member including apertured ears secured to said base, apair of L-shaped lugs secured to said base, an insulated arm extendingupwardly from one of said lugs and secured thereto, a metal contactfinger pivotally connected to said arm, a metal contact finger pivotallyconnected to the other lug, said fingers being mounted for movement intoand out of engagement with said batteries, a vertically disposed plateextending upwardly from said base adjacent the rear of said cutout, aninsulated bar secured to said plate, a curved spring clip secured tosaid bar and interconnecting the adjacent ends of said batteriestogether, a first wire leading from one of said fingers to said bracket,a second bracket including a horizontally disposed flange secured to anend of said base,said second bracket further including a verticallydisposed member extending upwardly from said last named flange andprovided-with an aperture therein, an insulated plate provided with anaperture therein secured to the outer surface of the vertically disposedmember of said second bracket, a horizontally disposed rotatable shaftextending through the apertures in the aperture in the verticallydisposed member of said first bracket and the aperture in the insulatedplate secured to the vertically disposed member of said second bracket,said shaft including an enlarged intermediate portion interposed betweensaid members, an armature extending transversely from said shaft andsecured thereto, a metal strip secured to the upper surface of said baseand extending transversely there across, a vertically disposed ringmember extending upwardly from said strip and secured thereto, aplurality of coils extending inwardly into said ring member and securedthereto, an insulated disc secured to the outer surface of said secondbracket, a plurality of contacts extending outwardly from said disc,terminals connected to said contacts and projecting through said secondbracket, wires leading from said coils to said contacts, and a platemounted on said shaft and including a pair of diametrically opposedwiper elements mounted for movement into and out of engagement with saidterminals.

2. A toy electric motor comprising a horizontally disposed rectangularbase provided with a transversely disposed intermediate rectangularcutout, a plurality of vertically disposed flanges depending from theouter edges of said base, an insulated strip extending beneath saidcutout and secured to said base, a first bracket including a verticallydisposed member provided with an aperture and said bracket furtherincluding a horizontally disposed flange detachably connected to saidstrip, a pair of batteries supported on said base, a support memberincluding a pair of arcuate superposed sections engaging said batteriesand said support member including apertured ears secured to said base, apair of L-shaped lugs secured to said base, an insulated arm extendingupwardly from one of said lugs and secured thereto, a metal contactfinger pivotally connected to said arm, a metal contact finger pivotallyconnected to the other lug, said fingers being mounted for movement intoand out of engagement with said batteries, a vertically disposed plateextending upwardly from said base adjacent the rear of said cutout, aninsulated bar secured to said plate, a curved spring clip secured tosaid bar and interconnecting the adjacent ends of said batteriestogether, a first wire leading from one of said fingers to said bracket,a second bracket including a horizontally disposed flange secured to anend of said base, said second bracket further including a verticallydisposed member extending upwardly from said last named flange andprovided with an aperture therein, an insulated plate provided with anaperture therein secured to the outer surface of the vertically disposedmember of said second bracket, a horizontally disposed rotatable shaftextending through the apertures in the aperture in the verticallydisposed member of said first bracket and the aperture in the insulatedplate secured to the vertically disposed member of said second bracket,said shaft including an enlarged intermediate portion interposed betweensaid members, an armature extending transversely from said shaft andsecured thereto, a metal strip secured to the upper surface of said baseand extending transversely there across, a vertically disposed ringmember extending upwardly from said strip and secured thereto, aplurality of coils extending inwardly into said ring member and securedthereto, an insulated disc secured to the outer surface of said secondbracket,.

a plurality of contacts extending outwardly from said disc, terminalsconnected to said contacts and projecting through said second bracket,wires leading from said coils to said contacts, and a plate mounted onsaid shaft and including a pair of diametrically opposed wiper elementsmounted for movement into and out of engagement with said terminals,there being numerals on thc outer surface of said ring member contiguousto said coils, the contacts being equal in number to the number ofcoils, there being numerals on said disc adjacent said contacts.

3. A toy electric motor comprising a horizontally disposed rectangularbase provided with a transversely disposed intermediate rectangularcutout, a plurality of vertically disposed flanges depending from theouter edges of said base, an insulated strip extending beneath saidcutout and secured to said base, a first bracket including a verticallydisposed member provided with an aperture and said bracket furtherincluding a horizontally disposed flange detachably connected saidstrip, a pair of batteries supported on said base, a support memberincluding a pair of arcuate superposed sections engaging said batteriesand said support member including apertured ears secured to said base, apair of L-shaped lugs secured to said base, an insulated arm extendingupwardly from one of said lugs and secured thereto, a metal contactfinger pivotally connected to said arm, a metal contact finger pivotallyconnected to the other lug, said fingers being mounted for movement intoand out of engagement with said batteries, a vertically disposed plateextending upwardly from said base adjacent the rear of said cutout, aninsulated bar secured to said plate, a curved spring clip secured tosaid bar and interconnecting the adjacent ends of said batteriestogether, a first wire leading from one of said fingers to said bracket,a second bracket including a horizontally disposed fiange secured to anend of said base, said second bracket further including a verticallydisposed member extending upwardly from said last named flange andprovided with an aperture therein, an insulated plate provided with anaperture therein secured to the outer surface kof the verticallydisposed member of said second bracket, a horizontally disposedrotatable shaft extending through the apertures in the aperture in thevertically disposed member of said first bracket and the aperture in theinsulated plate secured to the vertically disposed member of said secondbracket, said shaft including an enlarged intermediate portioninterposed between said members, an armature extending transversely fromsaid shaft and secured thereto, a metal strip secured to the uppersurface of said base and extending transversely there across, avertically disposed ring member extending upwardly from said strip andsecured thereto, a plurality of coils extending inwardly into said ringmember and secured thereto, an insulated disc sescured to the outersurface of said second bracket, a plurality of contacts extendingoutwardly from said disc, terminals connected to said contacts andprojecting through said second bracket, wires leading from said coils tosaid contacts, and a plate mounted on said shaft and including a pair ofdiametrically opposed wiper elements mounted for movement into and outof engagement with said terminals, there being numerals on the outersurface of said ring member contiguous to said coils, the contacts beingequal in number to the number of coils, there being numerals on saiddisc adjacent said contacts, securing elements releasably connecting theparts together, and finger engaging portions projecting outwardly fromsaid fingers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS526,016 Losch Sept. 1l, 1894 1,436,335 Billings Nov. 21, 1922 1,531,799Lux Mar. 31, 1925 1,996,023 MacLachlan Mar. 26, 1935 1,989,021 Pedersenet al June 22, 1935 2,232,097 Deal et al. Feb. 18, 1941 2,488,223 MoosNov. 15, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 411,289 Great Britain June 7, 1934

